COMMUNITY IMPACT

“What a great message…thank you for making this happen for our students. It was impactful for many of them, and I am sure that they will be thinking about little things that he said for many years to come.”

“None of my family has gone to college except my older cousin. There are so many families that struggle. Those donations really help so many students to further their education, get the opportunities West Catholic offers them, and reach further heights.”

"Coming to God's Kitchen was a light, in a dark area for me. The quality of food was great and it gave me a sense of home, instead of homelessness. It gives you added value of 'you're in this situation, but don't give up!' I can't imagine going through it, without a place like this"

“We lived down the street when I found out I was pregnant. We didn’t have the income to take care of a baby. My mom and I came to HELP to see if they did abortions. We talked to a staff person. She said we don’t do that here, and then she told us to look at the bright side. She said a baby is considered a blessing no matter what. We thought about that so much. We came back a few days later for an ultrasound and to hear the heartbeat. The first time I saw the ultrasound I fell in love with her. She is a blessing. I couldn’t imagine my life without this baby.”

“My husband and I want to thank you so much for sharing Mass every Sunday. We never miss it. My husband and I can’t get into our Church anymore. We look forward to every Sunday with you and all the priests.
You are in our prayers.”

“The grant for new lighting in the parish’s narthex has brightened more than the physical space.
Our interactions there seem livelier as a result, as well.”

"I want to personally thank you for your continued support of myself and my brothers as we discern the Lord’s will in our lives. It means a lot to me as I prepare to continue my studies at Mundelein to know that there are so many people back home praying and supporting me. I look forward to the day I can serve you all as a priest for our Lord back home."

“By equipping lay leaders and helping them understand this is grounded in their baptismal call to serve, we’re hoping that new ministries that address unmet needs in their wider community can be a support to pastors and parish staff.”

“I definitely hope that it will spread to other kids to have that relationship with Jesus, to have their faith be a living faith, and to live authentically and not to believe the lies of the culture. I don’t want them to doubt themselves or think that their worth is only because they have a boyfriend or because they have so many likes on social media or because their body looks a certain way.”

“It’s been very important for me to have the support of the Catholic Foundation. Prior to this grant, the four parishes and their parishioners stepped up and literally provided everything we have so far. I think it helps the parishioners feel they’re supported at a larger level and take this big project on. I’m really thankful that the foundation wanted to support a school up here.”

“You really do need Mass. You need to be strengthened by the sacraments when you celebrate your faith with a community of believers.”

“I’m so extremely grateful that the Lord answered our prayers with this grant, and to be able to continue to grow and enrich people in their faith. The impact of this grant will greatly grow the Kingdom of God.”

“We want to move that mark on safety in the community, empowering parents to know how to safely care for their children.”

“We’ve got people who are fighting cancer and they are fighting for their life. We become part of their support system. To feel so cared for by the community is huge.”

“For a long time Catholic schools were not a place for kids with diverse learning needs, but that’s a goal, a place for all Catholic families to be together. It’s a place for kids who feel like they don’t have a place in the regular classroom to still learn our faith and be immersed in the faith during their school day.”